Adsorption-reduction coupling mechanism and reductive species during efficient florfenicol removal by modified biochar supported sulfidized nanoscale zerovalent iron

Sulfidized nanoscale zerovalent iron (S-nZVI) was a promising material for degrading halogenated contaminants, but the easy aggregation limits its application for in-situ groundwater remediation. Hence, S-nZVI was decorated onto modified biochar (mBC) to obtain better dispersity and reactivity with florfenicol (FF), a widely used antibiotic. Uniform dispersion of S-nZVI particles were achieved on the mBC with plentiful oxygen-containing functional groups and negative surface charge. Thus, the removal rate of FF by S-nZVI@mBC was 2.5 and 3.1 times higher than that by S-nZVI and S-nZVI@BC, respectively. Adsorption and dechlorination of FF showed synergistic effect under appropriate mBC addition (e.g., C/Fe mass ratio = 1:3, 1:1), probably due to the enrichment of FF facilitates its reduction. In contrast, the contact between FF and S-nZVI could be hindered under more mBC addition, significantly decrease the reduction rate of FF and the reduction capacity of per unit Fe0. In addition, sulfur dose altered the surface species of surface Fe and S, and removal rates of FF correlated well with surface reductive species, i.e., FeS (r = 0.90, p < 0.05) and Fe0 (r = 0.98, p < 0.01). These mechanistic insights indicate the importance of rational design for biochar supported S-nZVI, which can lead to more efficient FF degradation.

Automated summary

Sulfidized nanoscale zerovalent iron (S-nZVI) is a promising material for degrading halogenated contaminants. However, its easy aggregation limits its application for in-situ groundwater remediation. Therefore, S-nZVI was decorated onto modified biochar (mBC) to enhance dispersity and reactivity with florfenicol (FF), resulting in significantly higher removal rates compared to S-nZVI alone.